EEG Electrocerebral Inactivity and Brain Death Determination

Question 1

According to American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) and AAN guidelines, what is the minimum sensitivity required when recording an EEG to assess for electrocerebral inactivity (ECI)?

Accepted Answer

2 µV/mm

Answer

5 µV/mm

Answer

7 µV/mm

Answer

10 µV/mm

Question 2

AAN guidelines for ECI recordings require a minimum interelectrode distance of at least how many centimeters to avoid missing low-amplitude activity between nearby electrodes?

Accepted Answer

10 cm

Answer

5 cm

Answer

15 cm

Answer

20 cm

Question 3

Which of the following must be documented and excluded before an EEG can be interpreted as confirming electrocerebral inactivity?

Accepted Answer

Core body temperature above 32°C, absence of CNS depressants, and no severe metabolic disturbance

Answer

Absence of alpha-frequency activity in posterior regions

Answer

Presence of burst suppression for at least 30 minutes

Answer

Electrode impedances below 100 Ω at all sites

Question 4

During a brain death EEG, the technologist applies a painful stimulus (sternal rub) and shines a bright light in the patient's eyes. The purpose of these maneuvers is to assess:

Accepted Answer

EEG reactivity to external stimulation

Answer

Muscle artifact contamination of the tracing

Answer

Activation of epileptiform discharges

Answer

Photic driving response at low frequencies

Question 5

A flatline EEG tracing recorded at 2 µV/mm sensitivity is most likely artifactual rather than true ECI if which finding is present?

Accepted Answer

Activity that disappears when the technologist lifts the patient's arm off the bed

Answer

No change with photic stimulation at 1 Hz

Answer

Symmetric suppression bilaterally across all electrode pairs

Answer

No activity in a bipolar longitudinal montage

Question 6

AAN guidelines recommend that ECI be recorded for a minimum duration of how many minutes of technically satisfactory tracing?

Accepted Answer

30 minutes

Answer

10 minutes

Answer

20 minutes

Answer

60 minutes